Scene #1057:

Owner	Pose
Veronica Perenna	There is a painting that is making the news recently. "It is named Dense Shroud over Himeji Castle". It features said spectacle of japanese architecture in the embrace of a dense fog, the elegant white walls emerging like a ghost, following the intent of the artist to attribute the haunted quality of the Castle to the architecture itself. In the shifting veil of fog, the shapes that have led the castle to be named Shirasagi-jo, or Castle of the White Heron, now create an illusion of a floating fortress, looming menacingly over the painted surroundings. The masterpiece has received great acclaim over the recent week, but over the recent weeks, those who look at it accuse severe nightmares that day, spectral flames accompanying a desperate counting up to 9 before a clawed hand extends something and a shrill overjoyed 10 reaches out. In a surprising twist, that has only contributed to the painting's fame, and more and more people have been declined entry to the art gallery because they just do not have any more space. With the addition of a calling card from the art thief that has been evading capture again and again, the case has exploded, and almost nothing else is talked about. It is currently night, the full moon shining down from the night sky, and the Princess of Sarek is looking at the shut entrance of the building. A mere ethereal spell is all it takes for her to enter, and considering the pattern these things have taken, she opens the door from the inside, so that any ally may find an easy entrance.
Clarthas Anode	<"Area search is detecting some kind of distorted space."> Sarida intones. "Yes, I know how to use the spell." Keaka mutters softly. She's sitting on a bench near the museum, with Sarida unseen, in storage form, hidden in their clothing and communicating telepathically. "It's not our work, and it seems unlikely to be that of a hero. Perhaps we've found a local artifact." Sarida replies in a different tone, <"And you think that claiming it for Obsidian would prove yourself?"> Keaka shrugs, and whispers, "Honestly, I just want to see it for myself. Local magic, when there isn't supposed to be any? That's interesting on its own. But if we can use it, all the better." The ashen-skinned, dark-haired woman stands -- no, it's a tall (for here) man, now, with a brass gauntlet on his left hand. At night, there's no one around, so they can... "Sarida. Do it." "Engaging costumery drive!" To any would-be observer, there is a sense of Keaka(?) falling away, even though he doesn't seem to be moving in relation to other objects, and darkness shot through with stars pours over him, leaving him in a fancier outfit and with eyes of night and falling stars. The darkness fades and so too do the eyes, back to his 'normal', if red sclera and no visible iris can be called that. He turns and strides towards the museum. As he approaches, he hears the click of a door unlocking. What? Well, it saves them the trouble of making an entrance... He opens it, steps inside, and-- Comes awkwardly face-to-face with the phantom thief. "Um. Thank you for letting me in." He stands straighter, pulling his hand from the door. "And just what are you looking for, here after this exhibition's operating hours?"
Itsuki Inubouzaki	"A cursed painting... And I hear it is haunted too. And a thief is tryingto steal it! Togo-senpai, are you sure we shouldn't wait for Onee-chan to join us?" The small blonde girl is huddled around a corner, arms held close to her chest, looking dubiously at the art gallery. She is wearing a hoodie big enough to be a dress on her tiny frame, along with leggings and sneakers. Ever since she transformed in order to chase down someone who was abusing music to hurt people, Itsuki has become aware that there are more Heroes out there, and more threats as well, beyond just the Vertex. This has given her a greater interest in taking care of this city she and her big sis were moved to by Taisha. Perhaps they intended the Yuusha to become involved all along...? Fu said she'd be here, but she's nowhere in sight, and it's dark, and spooky. But Togo is here, so Itsuki is sticking close to the older girl. "Eeeehh...?" Itsuki lets out quietly, as she sees the shutter door to the art gallery is open. "K-kowai!" she whispers in fear. Maybe the shutter door is haunted too!
Togo	Togo is wearing a 'ninja' outfit, in the loosest, most edge-case definition of the term. Mostly, she is wearing her normal school uniform, with a black cloth on her head, tied under her nose, to 'conceal her identity'. Listen, she doesn't normally keep ninja gear on-hand, and she found out about this rather abruptly from Itsuki. "It's fine, Itsuki-chan. Between the two of us, I'm sure we can handle this." she says with a gentle smile as she rolls her wheelchair around the corner, and confirms her kohai's observation. Yes, the gallery is open. The thief must already be here! Togo pushes down the excitement and the guilty secret that she has always had a bit of a fascination with being a crime-fighting super hero, and never thought she'd get the chance... Until now! "If it will make you feel better, perhaps we should henshin first before we go inside?" Togo says as she holds up her phone. After the second Vertex fight, Togo found the determination to become a Yuusha too, and overcame her fear and feelings of inadequacy compared to the other girls around her. She has yet to use the Yuusha System here in the 'real world', but it should function the same regardless, right? Tapping her phone screen when the flower appears, Togo holds her phone above her head, and purple light shines briefly. Togo's wheelchair has disappeared, and the white bodysuit costume she wears has no wheels. But that's fine. Because she has four prehensile ribbons to let her move around freely, even if her legs dangle uselessly beneath her. She gives another reassuring smile to Itsuki, and then begins ribbon-walking towards the gallery. Cautiously, but expediently. No way is she going to let some curse ruin a painting of one of her country's most marvelous historical sites!
Veronica Perenna	Veronica looks questioningly at Clarthas Anode when the Device user show up. They certainly do not look like anyone she would have expected, and they try to question her too, despite thanking her at first for the entrance. "May I have your name?" she looks a bit warily to the imposing figure. Despite that, she gives hers first, because what Phantom Thief worthy of that name wouldn't? "I am the Princess of Sarek, and I am here to get in evil's way." she announces, staring fiercely at Clarthas, just in case they didn't just look the part of a villain. Admittedly, that was sometimes hard to tell with people like Cat Noir around. Though, Clarthas isn't the only one who is coming in and this one looks decidedly less villanous, even if Veronica still doesn't know who she is. "Welcome, welcome", she reserves a smile to the girl that is... walking on ribbons? That's a first, but Veronica doesn't show her surprise nor brings it up, and instead she gives away her own name once more. "I am the Princess of Sarek, and I am here to dispose of a cursed painting. If you are to help, that would be awesome", she cordially states to the purple heroine.
Clarthas Anode	May I have your name? A 15-year veteran of magical bullshit knows how to answer that: "No, you may not. But you may know that I am called Clarthas Anode," It's true! Technically! He calls himself that! "Evil? There is a magical item of some sort here, Princess. Wouldn't ''evil'' be doing nothing, and letting the people of this world suffer its effects while none the wiser? Tonight, I am here to investigate it. I doubt any of us want to let it run wild, hmm?" The 'eye' formed by pale lines inside the gauntlet's gem glances over the Phantom Thief, but then affixes its 'gaze' on the approaching Hero.
Itsuki Inubouzaki	Eeehh!? Togo is just going off like it's nothing! Itsuki hurries to henshin as well, assuming her Yuusha form, and then chasing after Togo, carefully, quietly, like she's sneaking up on a cabin in the woods, and sitting inside is Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf. 'Kowai, kowai.' she whispers a few times as the Yuusha tip-toes over to the entrance, and hears voices drifting from inside. Oh, no! It's ghosts after all! Thankfully, they seem friendly! Itsuki steps into view alongside Togo, and see a couple of people. Other Heroes, she assumes! Though the glowing red eyes are a bit intimidating, on the man... "I-I'm Itsuki. Nice to meet you." she replies. "Um. We heard there was a cursed painting and..." She gestures helplessly, with the hand that doesn't have some sort of flower-petal vambrace on it. "T-thank you for having us!" she says a bit too loudly, flustered, as she bows in greeting to the Princesss and the... The eyeball-haver. This entire situation is all kinds of kowai.
Togo	Togo returns the greeting with a nod of her head, a bit more cautious than her partner for the evening, but still courteous. "Then we have the same objective." She glances at Clarthas, taking note of the obvious stylistic difference between him and the two Yuusha, and one Hime. When Itsuki introduces herself by name, Togo sighs a bit, and cups her face in one hand. "My name is Togo. Do you have a plan for how to deal with this whole..." She points towards the interior of the gallery vaguely, and twirls her finger in a circle, before saying, "...Situation?"
Veronica Perenna	"Why would you say no if you end up giving me your name anyway?" Veronica asks, puzzled. Wouldn't it defeat the point? "Just so you know, I wasn't going to ask your actual name, just like I haven't given you mine." And the Princess shrugs when Clarthas gives her a speech about what is evil and what is not. "I came here to dispose of the curse of the painting, so you aren't telling me anything new. Though, your help on the matter is appreciated", she concludes, giving the anti-hero a small bow. There is one more heroine coming, and this one looks rather timid, or at least a bit scared. "There is no need to worry, friend, you are among allies here!" she reassures her, before pausing to ponder the case of Clarthas, giving him a perplexed look. "At least, temporarily", she adds. If Togo's sigh is any indication, Itsuki has just done something wrong, and considering all she did was introducing herself, it may have just meant that she gave out her actual name sort if like the Princess of Sarek and Clarthas were discussing earlier. That could have been a problem with an anti-villain, were it not for the Veil. At least, this time that thing is actually helpful, for once. "Yes, this is nor my first rodeo with these paintings", Veronica confirms to Togo. "We just need to get into the painting and recover the cursed relic that caused the mess. And I know where to return the relic to, so leave its disposal to me", she explains. "Let's go in now, we have a painting to deal with", and with that, she starts leading the way. Once they reach the painting, Veronica gets absorbed, the familiar darkness covering her sight.
Clarthas Anode	Why would you say no and then give your name? Clarthas sighs. "People here really don't know how to deal with magic, do they? A mysterious fairy ''taking'' your name after they ask you if they may have it, and you agree, is one of the oldest tricks in the book, isn't it." He quirks an eyebrow at his help being appreciated. Well, he doesn't hear ''that'' every day, so he's a ''little'' bit more positively disposed towards her. Not so much that he'll drop all interest in studying the painting over disposing of it, but. Still. At the question of temporary allies, he shrugs. Veronica says it's not her first rodeo. "Oh? You've encountered whatever this is before? So what is--" She's already explaining, though. He quirks an eyebrow again. "''Into'' the painting?" He takes a breath and sighs. It seems Earth is just ''full'' of interesting phenomena. As the Princess leads the way, he asks: "So, the source of the magic is a cursed item that... turned a painting into a place? How do you know about it?" Only, before she can answer.... "Clarthas!" Sarida calls out, alarmed. Its voice has the tinny quality one would expect from a Device. And then darkness takes him.
Anna Domenico	Anna Domenico is tired of cursed paintings, and has thusly, decided to just play this one less straight and pop in from a skylight, in full hunter's regalia, which means her pink tailcoat, white blouse, gauntleted right hand and whip in her other hand. Landing in front of the painting, just as Veronica and Calathas enter it, she looks to Itsuki and Togo and says the most dumbest crap ever. "Smell ya later." She says giving a little two finger salute to her forehead before somersaulting backwards into the haunted, cursed painting.
Itsuki Inubouzaki	Itsuki stares as the Princess and the... The Clarthas enter the painting. If she hadn't fought Vertex and also a Witch, she might be in more disbelief, but this is similar in some ways to how she entered the Witch's Labyrinth. A seemingly ordinary space that is a portal to another dimension. So she snaps out of it rather quickly, and relates to Togo her suspicions. But just as she musters her courage and steps forwards, Leon (Leona?) Belmont with pink hair drops from the ceili--Wait, no! "Uwaaa..." is all Itsuki can manage, not understanding the reference at all. Why would she be smelled, later or otherwise? She bathed before she came here! "I... I think we should probably go inside, Togo-senpai. ...Maybe?" She'll just text Fu about the situation and if her older sister gets here in time to help, she'll know how to join them. Assuming there's no protest, the extra-small Yuusha stepping through the painting frame carefully, and much less flashily than the Akumajou Dracula protagonist did. What will she find on the other side!? Probably a castle, honestly!
Togo	Togo doesn't recognize any of these people, and their familiarity with the situation at least suggests they know how to resolve these curses. "Yes. We should follow them. At the very least, we should learn what measures they take to restore these paintings to their rightful states. Since this is a recurring issue, we might have to handle them ourselves in the future--" the Yuusha with extremely long black hair, a white bodysuit, and four prehensile ribbons holding her above the ground and serving as her 'legs' begins to say in agreement with Itsuki. But then another magical girl appears, and Togo just stares for a moment, stoically, before deciding she doesn't really have anything else to say at the moment. She ribbon-walks towards the painting, testing it once with one of her magical prostheses, before fully entering it herself. She didn't bother contesting Clarthas' claims about fairies, because she strongly doubts that he's working for Taisha. Maybe the fairies he knows of are different from the ones the Yuusha use. ...But it's still information to keep in mind. There's so much about the Yuusha System that remains a mystery after all. She does, however, summon one of her fairies to her side as soon as she's on the other side of the painting. A blue flame spirit appears, and a pistol appears in Togo's hand along with it.
Veronica Perenna	Well, they did stumble upon the handiwork of a fairy, so the Princess of Sarek can't say Clarthas is totally off base there, but... "Why would a fairy be hanging close to the entrance instead of close to the painting? And I don't think I look anything like a fae", she pouts a little. As for the second question... "I am tasked with retrieving them, and seal them away". That's all she is willing to share. When people reach the other side, they find themselves straight in the middle of the mist, spectral blue fires fluctuating mid air all around them. In front of them the main keep extends upwards, shining on its own with lights emanating from the crests of the families that had occupied it throughout the centuries. Except, that's not at all the case, as every single one of them has been replaced by the spectral stilisation of a vulpine face, as if it tried to say the castle's history mattered nomore: whoever is occupying it now is the true Lord of the Castle.
Clarthas Anode	In the middle of mist, surrounded by spectral blue fires? Strong 'villain lair' vibes, specifically the sort where you are seconds away from encountering the villain at his throne / ritual circle / sacrificial altar / what-have-you. "Sarida..." he warns, with a tone of 'danger, prepare to fight'. The Device(?) chimes and responds, "Powering Strife Drives." Let the most eager heroes go first. Clarthas tries to keep to the middle of the group. The banners are indeed a clear symbol with a message loud and clear. "Who's symbol is that?" He waves an arm at the banners. Obviously it would help to know who he's up against, but he doesn't recognize it. Usually, as a TSAB agent, he'd have had intel on local villains before going in, but this is an unusual situation. He's no stranger to having to get filled in by locals' exposition, though.
Anna Domenico	Anna Domenico, Also known as Curse Hunter Anna, currently going by 'Pink', turns around to face the keep and ahs."Ah, a Demon Castle. My natural element." she says. spreading out her arms. She reaches into her tailcoat and produces a thick book, her family's beasitary and starts looking through the pages to see if the face matches anything in it. She sighs and clasps the book shut after a moment. "Not a damn clue. But ten to one we gotta defeat them if we wanna dispel the castle. That's just how demon castles ''work''." she says. She seems pretty sure about this. Wether she's correct or not is a different story. She steels herself and tugs at her whip.
Itsuki Inubouzaki	Itsuki looks all around in amazement. She has seen some strange things after traveling to other dimensional planes, but this one is perhaps the spookiest. It's... Someplace that exists in reality, but this is such a different version of it that it's almost unrecognizable. Itsuki looks at her phone anxiously, to see if Fu has responded. No luck. What could be keeping her sister?? "Togo-senpai..." Itsuki murmurs quietly as she moves towards the more mature Yuusha. Surely, Togo knows what to do against ghosts, right? The words of the pink lady don't help. 'Demon Castle'!? "H-how do we f-find the, um, the demon?" she asks haltingly, not sure she wants to know, but knowing that her job here isn't done until the painting is cleansed.
Togo	Togo takes in the changes to the castle immediately upon setting eyes on it. "Kitsune... ka?" she voices her thoughts. She knows of no Mon that bears a fox, so it is unlikely to be another clan that took over. Also, they're inside a cursed painting that is haunted, so, you know. Kitsune. The blue flame spirit, and the pistol, both vanish, and are replaced with an egg spirit with a blue flower marking on its side, and a sniper rifle. Togo raises the rifle, putting the stock against her shoulder, as a targeting lens pops up on top. Using this, she scans the windows, zooming in to check for any sign of people or movement. It would be too easy if she were able to just eliminate the enemy from here, without having to venture inside, but at least getting an idea of what they might be up against is going to be valuable regardless. What Togo sees is reported to the others, after she narrows her eyes in an attempt to focus on her target. "On the first four floors, there is a maid I can't focus on in all of the windows... Identical, as far as I can tell. The window on the top floor fourth has a cloth draping over it to obscure sight. I can't see anything through it at all."
Veronica Perenna	Veronica peeks at the unusual situation with the castle. The blue flames in the fog really contribute to a sense of wariness the current owner has probably caused. Maybe they are the type that like their toys clearly fearful of them. Whoever is staking their claim is certainly nothing short of self-assured, erasing all that previous history from the castle, even just in this painting. She doesn't have the fainted idea how to give an actual answer to Clarthas: as far as she is aware, nobody has ever used that crest. Though, she can offer some conjectures at least. "Since this seems to be a japanese haunting, that could be tied to a fox yokai. That field is not my forte, but I believe they are supposed to be duplicitous tricksters." Whether that's the case or not, she can't say. "Considering they seem to fashion themselves as the rulers of this place", the Princess of Sarek addresses Itsuki, "it would probably be a safe bet to assume they are up there, at the last floor, if they really have taken command of this place." Visually and literally at the highest level of the hierarchy. "An identical maid", Veronica repeats Togo's find. "Does that mean the figure appeared at each window just about at the same time as the others?" she asks for a clarification. Either there is some cloning going on, or this figure is teleporting between floors. Why would indeed be an excellent thing to discover. Though there really is only one way to find out what is going on, for sure, and since everywhere but the door give a distinct feelings of magical energy, it is probably not wise to try to get in from the outside in. Veronica opens the door with surprisingly little effort and steps in, finding herself in a wide room lavishly decorated with gems everywhere as far as the eye can see. They are everywhere on the way to the upper floor staircase, and they glisten with clear magic.
Clarthas Anode	The pink hero is clearly in her element. Clarthas nods in agreement at her appraisal of the situation. The small green hero asks how you find the demon, and Clarthas smiles. "We make enough noise and start messing up his stuff, and the demon will come to ''us''. Isn't that standard procedure for heroes? Whatever ''plan'' cursing this painting is a part of... You're here to ''meddle''. Please tell me ''I'' don't have to show you how to do your jobs." They come into clearer sight of the castle itself, and the purple hero is also clearly experienced. She's already gathering intel. It was nice to work with a team, sometimes. "Alright. They might just be constructs, if they're identical, but we could try asking one of the servants to bring us to their master." "Me and purple could go up there straight to the throne room, but that would leave us split up if we end up needing backup." The Princess of Sarek opens the front door without issue. "Or, we walk in the front door and just make our way to the throne room demanding an audience and see who's sent to stop us." Rather than walk, he Floats Ominously a few feet off the ground towards the stairs. Glancing at the gems. "Damn. Whoever they are sure loves gems. ...Don't actually touch those, though. Unguarded? Left out? Obviously magical? Probably a trap, unless the lord of the castle thought no one could make it into the painting in the first place." He strokes his chin with his non-gauntleted hand. "And if that's the case, we've already set off alarms and the lord or his defenses are en route." "Let's see which way they're coming from. Sarida!" He holds up the gauntlet. The Device(?) chimes. "Powering Mystic Drives. Deploying Area Search." Little glowing balls of magic form in the hand and shoot off towards any visible exit to the room save outside, scrying sensors that begin scouting and mapping the nearest parts of the castle. Several magically projected screens appear around Clarthas, showing the sensors' video feeds.
Anna Domenico	Curse Hunter Anna follows after Veronica as she says. "Thanks,tophat." she says, brushing herself off as she whistles a little at the gem encrusted room. "Luxurious overture." she says darkly. "I wouldn't try to steal anything. Such things are often traps in such places." she says. As she moves forward and carefully. "Fast moving maid, or an army of maids." she says. "I bet." she says. "I wanna fight an army of monster maids." she wishes wistfully. "HEY MONSTER MAIDS, HURRY UP." she yells.
Itsuki Inubouzaki	"I-I'll do my best...!" Itsuki proclaims (very quietly) as she follows along behind everyone else towards the castle entrance, and then inside. She does not handle this sort of thing well. She is very much scared of ghosts. She is baffled by what Clarthas is saying, and decides not to engage right now. It's not the time for arguments. Those will just distract them while the monster picks them off one by one! Or that's how it goes in the movies, anyway!
Togo	"It seems likely to be an illusion, Sarek-hime. The top floor is the only one where an effort was made to obscure what was inside. Chasing after illusory maids, or even multiple maids, would be a waste of energy." Togo looks over as the man who keeps talking to his Siri or whatever makes such strange, antagonisitc, and passive-aggressive comments about Heroes. Like he's picking a fight, or wants a reason to say the Yuusha failed by creating a problem. She frowns very slightly, and asks, "Why would we want to make a lot of noise? The longer we can go undetected, the better. We're trying to find the cause of this painting's curse... And it seems like it's on the top floor. We have a long way to go if we venture through the interior." she chastises Clarthas's suggestion. The egg disappears, and so does the sniper rifle, as Togo cautiously enters the castle. She mutters under her breath unkind things about whoever would defile a historical landmark like this, while she ribbon-walks through the room, carefully avoiding the gems and warning Itsuki to do the same, since the younger Yuusha is at the rear of the group and may not have seen what awaits them yet. Then the pink girl (did she even introduce herself?), starts yelling. Togo winces. "Let's just... Head upstairs. That would be the most prudent course."
Veronica Perenna	"Well, if you really want to meddle in this demon's plans", Veronica mentions to Clarthas, "we could try to blast our way up this building, even if we would risk triggering everything that demon has placed on the way here and there. Just something to think of while you teach us our job, as you say", she comments, quite reluctant to accept comments like those. She did say this wasn't her first rodeo. Keaka's scans them provide a precise map of the room, showing distinctly zones without any sort of magic whatsoever, as well as the intensity of magic in all these zones, providing a clear path for them to avoid through it, without accidentally incurring in the lord's retaliation. It really seems like they could be safe as long as they stick to that preordained stuff. "Ok, so", Veronica mentions, "if we are still on board with getting out of the established path, we could probably use our powers to knock these jewels upwards with our powers and see what happens. Maybe we can actually drag them down all the way here." There really isn't an army of monster maids that answers Anna's calls, but one does appear, her gaze lost in the air, looking at something they just can't see. "One, two... You thieves should stay away, as she for a split second seems to actually look at the group with dead eyes, before disappearing as quickly as she appeared. The Princess of Sarek bites her lips as she looks to Togo. "Is that your maid? It does seem like it's quite evanescent and illusionary, so it's either that or a ghost", she comments in agreement. Either way, they now either try to subvert the structure of the plan, or simply stick to going up by the stairs.
Clarthas Anode	Purple advocates the quiet route. "Yeah, you'd ''think'' that, but..." And then he gestures to the loud pink hero. "There's always someone like that. You have to be able to roll with it, if you can't work together and start bickering, that's when the villain will get you." The Princess of Sarek gets sarcastic about blowing things up. He nods, responding blithely, "I was ''thinking'' about that, but there might be innocent people in this castle, you know?" A 3D map projection forms next to the screens. "Okay, I think I've found us a clear path, but..." Maid! She thinks they're thieves, eh? "And what are we here to steal?" Oh, she's gone, drat. He looks down at Anna. "Well, Pink, what's it going to be? Want to set off traps on purpose in hopes something shows up for you to punch sooner, or do you wanna stealth to the Demon Lord and see if you can punch him in the face before he even knows you're here?" He grins smugly. He phrased that a bit confrontationally, and it may be that he's been in Togo's position, dealing with someone like Anna, in the past, but he's prepared to follow either plan, guiding them through the path his drones found, or readying for trouble to drop on their heads immediately.
Anna Domenico	A single maid appears! Then she says something and disappear and she snaps. "Darnit. Single maid." she says. "It's never an army of monster maids..." she grumbles under her breath. Is that a complaint? YES. "Look. Stealth never works with these types. -and I need new entries for my bestiary." she says. She flicks her gauntlet clad fingers and summons a silver knife as she throws it at one of the jewels. One of the safe ones. Like Veronica suggested.
Itsuki Inubouzaki	Itsuki has no intention of touching the pretty gems. That's not what they're here for, and it's not hers! "Maybe we should just follow the path and head upstairs. That's what I'm doing, at least." Itsuki starts on the path, flinching at the lady's yelling, and trying to avert any potential exploding of things. Then a ghost maid appears, and Itsuki shrieks in fear. She almost backs up, taking a single step backwards, before steadying herself, and, despite trembling, continuing forward. She's going upstairs, and she's not letting any gh-gh-gh-ghosts stop her! She is still thinking, 'Kowai, kowai!' the entire time though. The place is still spooky! A dagger is thrown and Itsuki turns half-way up the stairs, startled at the noise. Geez. Aren't all of these other heroes older than her? Why is she the one leading the way? "Haahh... I'm... I'm going to head up!" she informs the others, then aims her left hand, braces her left arm with her right hand, and launches wires upwards, seeking something to grab hold of and then yanking her upwards to the second floor. Unless... Something stops her!?
Togo	"...We don't really deal with 'villains'." Togo says neutrally. She gets the information from the sensory displays and magical scans and so on, since she can't sense magic herself, and follows Itsuki's example. Her hands whip upwards, as a pair of magical futuristic-looking shotgun-like weapons appear in each hand, aiming at the ghost maid. It's reflex. With the maid not doing anything hostile other than accuse them of theft, Togo doesn't waste any more time after the ghost vanishes. Her ribbons launch her into the air, and her ribbons swing her along the ceiling from anything they grab onto, in order to deposit her on the stairs with Itsuki. A ribbon jump will send her up to join the younger Yuusha. Again, unless there's something in the way or some magical trap or something...! "We don't have all night. We need to do something before an innocent person gets hurt. The gallery was left wide open after all. Someone could just walk in." the markswoman calls down to the others. "Also, do not damage the castle. Even if currently under a curse, this is a historical site of great importance to our country and our culture, and the ghost of Oda Nobunaga will surely appear to punish you!" she scolds.
Veronica Perenna	The group makes their way up to the second floor unimpeded thanks to Clarthas (and Itsuki spider-girling it has encountered no problems either). That is, at least, until a wall of fire closes off both the stairs down ''and'' up, a lone figure standing in the middle of the room. The yokai Osakabehime turns around, looking at the group in front of her, 7 fox tails and a pair of fox ears to indicate her inhuman natude. In her hands she holds a plate, of distinct European making, quite out of place in Himeji Castle. "I believe this is what you are looking for", she speaks with a sigh, the plate dancing in her hands. "I am disappointed that the lords of this castle could only be irresponsibile with their power desoite me coming down once a year to aid them. Okiku was the last straw, and so I withdrew my support", she says, and the ghost maid appears next to her and with a gentle gaze, she is caresses by the fox yokai. "Ghost can't learn, but Yokai can, so people will suffer nightmares for what happened to her. The Castle Monster has come out of hiding with the power of that curse, and everybody shall pay as I assume the role I actually played all these years as the true Lord of the Castle." With that waves of fire move from Osakabehime to each magic user, the Princess of Sarek only pulling up her own barrier in the nick of time.
Clarthas Anode	Clarthas nods slightly and gives Togo a shrug as if to say, 'See?' when Anna decides to go loud. But... nothing stops them going to the second floor. "You don't deal with villains? What kind of heroing do you do, then?" "Bestiary?" Clarthas echoes, quietly. "Do ''we'' have one of those?" Sarida responds, switching from a blithe tone to a more academic one, and back again. "Categorizing the endless things that live outside reality? That seems an endless endeavor, in theory. If I do have one, it's not unlocked yet. Keep gaining resonance, I'm getting some good stuff here!" It seems silly to be concerned about historic landmarks and ghosts when the whole ''world's'' got to go, but, there's a time and a place. A fox spirit appears. Clarthas waves his hand to make the 'screens' go mostly translucent and spread out to the side so he's not talking to her through them. "The Lady of the castle, I presume? I am Clarthas Anode, pleased to make your acquaintance." He bows. She's lamenting someone she helps being incompetent. "Oh, isn't that a mood." But then, fire! Saridas chimes, "Engaging Barrier Drive!" And a translucent sphere appears around Clarthas as the flame washes over him. "''Oh'' come now. The ghosts slighted you, so you punish random people?" He and his barrier fly out of the fire. The barrier drops, and he sweeps his hand towards her. "Barret burst fire." intones Saridas, spraying her with a series of energy bullets. "You lack vision! I'd put right this 'Okiku' incident, but if you're gonna do the vindicative villain thing..." Clarthas intones, red eyes judging Osakabehime, "I knew a lady who if ''she'' was in your situation, she'd ''find a way to torture ghosts.'' I mean, they already can't die, so like, half the work's already done for you isn't it? You do ''that'' and heroes' blood runs cold when they find out." Clarthas shrugs as he flies around the room dodging fire. "Giving random people nightmares as your revenge? ''Please.'' I hope this is a ploy to gain power or energy by fighting, because otherwise, this is just suicide by hero. Sad." He shakes his head.
Anna Domenico	Curse Hunter Anna dodges fire, mostly by somsersulting away, much like she did away from Togo and Itsuki earlier. She doesn't wanna be singed. She then 'ahs' as the Lord of the Castle shows up. "Hold on. This is my first time, dealing with a Lord of the Castle. Ahem. I have a family speech to give." she points her gauntlet clad hand up at the fox spirit. "Die Monster. You don't belong in this world!" she says dramatically, with as with much frevor, as possible, swings her whip forward, trying to slice the tip across the being's frontal area. The whip, not magic in and of itself, probably hurts a whole lot if it can connect. "ENOUGH TALK! HAVE AT YOU!" she bellows.
Itsuki Inubouzaki	"Anoo..." Itsuki says barely above a whisper, as she raises a hand slowly, eyes wide as she stares at the youkai. "I don't think we want your plate... We just--" But it looks like discussion is off the table! ...Just like that plate! ...Itsuki leaps backwards, her puffball fairy with a sprout growing from its head appearing and shielding her from the flames just long enough for her delayed reaction to get her away from the worst of it. She still has soot-like stains on her clothes, and gives small coughs into her hands as she clasps them over her mouth. "We can't let innocent people be tormented with nightmares..." she calls out, between coughs. She may be very scared, but there are people depending on them! With Clarthas shooting, and Anna whipping, it's obvious what Itsuki should do. As her fairy disappears again, she aims her left hand and launches highly-flexible guided wires that try to pierce through the flames that have trapped Itsuki, to attempt to wrap up the youkai and try to drag her into her own flames! ...Or maybe just tie her up so the others can attack easier. ...Or maybe she's just whipping like the vampire hunter. ...Really, she's kind of confused about what's going on and is just winging it.
Togo	Togo isn't about to explain the Vertex to this weirdo. Way too many red flags, and this isn't the time. When the flames appear, Togo tries to zero in on the enemy's location, arms raised, shotguns held in a reverse grip. Then she begins firing laser blasts of some kind into the advancing flame wall, at the general location of the youkai. However, she is forced to ribbon-walk backwards, a raccoon dog spirit appearing as a previously invisible wall flares and shimmers in a staticky-sort of, like a television not tuned correctly and just inbetween channels. The barrier keeps Togo from being burned, but it can't last forever (as far as she knows). A second fairy appears, the egg spirit from outside, and her shotguns switch to her sniper rifle. She keeps both fairies out, and her barrier is stronger for it, as her ribbons try to lower her down into a half-crouch on the floor, while she takes aim with the magical optical enhancements, getting data on vibrations, heat sources (useless with a wall of fire in the way), spatial coordinates, trajectories, and a bunch of other stuff. She waits until she has lined up a good shot to the best of her ability... And fires a powerful laser blast aimed at the enemy's head!